This Inspiring Teacher Is Making a Permanent Sacrifice for a Student in Need

One Texas teacher is making a big sacrifice for one of her students — and she might just end up saving his life.

Six-year-old Matthew Parker has had health problems his whole life. He and his two brothers were born prematurely, and he weighed only slightly over a pound. He had kidney failure when he was three weeks old, and last year, his body rejected his transplanted kidney.

He had been waiting for a kidney for two years, and his brothers were too young to donate theirs. More than 70 people had come forward to be tested to see if they were a match after Matthew's family spread their message online and through the press. Finally, his first-grade teacher, Lindsey Painter, decided to get tested, and she was the only perfect match. She consulted her family and decided to donate her kidney to little Matthew this March.

Hoffmann Lane Elementary School is raising money to fund Painter's medical expenses and to support her family while she gets bed rest for three to four weeks after the surgery. "Lindsey is giving Matthew a chance at a brighter future with this selfless act," the fundraising page on GoFundMe reads. "We want to give her whatever she needs." So far, more than $18,900 has been raised in 10 days to support Painter and her family.